Ecclestone receives Bahrain honour

The Chief Executive of Formula One Administration Mr Bernie Ecclestone
today received the Bahrain Medal of the First Degree, one of the highest
personal honours that can be bestowed by the Kingdom and one usually
reserved for Heads of State and ...

The Chief Executive of Formula One Administration Mr Bernie Ecclestone
today received the Bahrain Medal of the First Degree, one of the highest
personal honours that can be bestowed by the Kingdom and one usually
reserved for Heads of State and people who perform outstanding services
and achievements to the Kingdom of Bahrain.

Bernie Ecclestone.

Photo by Brousseau Photo.

The Medal is awarded at the sole discretion of His Majesty the King
Shaikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. It was presented by the Crown Prince HH
Shaikh Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa during a ceremony at His Highness's
office.

This was Mr Ecclestone's first visit to Bahrain and he was in the
Kingdom for a three-day tour at the invitation of the Crown Prince
His Highness Shaikh Salman. The presentation of his Medal followed
a tour of the Bahrain International Circuit and a detailed briefing
on preparations for the 2004 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix, the first
Grand Prix to be held in the Middle East. Presentations were given
by each of the ministries and national organisations involved in the
logistical planning of the race at a meeting arranged by BIC Chairman
His Excellency Shaikh Fawaz bin Mohammed Al Khalifa.

After visiting the circuit Mr Ecclestone commented; "It's super, Bahrain
International Circuit will be one of the best in the World. The standard
is so high its raised the bar so much. I'm very impressed and I'm very
happy with it."

When asked what the Bahraini audience can expect of the Gulf Air Bahrain
Grand Prix Mr Ecclestone replied; "It will be a great event. If I wasn't
directly involved in Formula One myself I'd be buying a ticket before
they sell out!"

At the invitation of the Crown Prince, Mr Ecclestone attended a lunch
held at a desert camp hosted by the Kingdom's southern district governor
His Highness Shaikh Abdulla bin Hamad Al Khalifa. Following the lunch Mr
Ecclestone was treated to a falconry display.

The Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix, which has a long-term agreement to host
a round of the FIA Formula One World Championship, will be the third
round of the 2004 championship and will be contested on April 4.

Mr Ecclestone is the latest guest from the world of Formula One to
visit Bahrain during 2003. The Kingdom has played host to numerous
personalities and officials including BMW WilliamsF1 driver Ralf
Schumacher, BAR Honda team principal Dave Richards and driver Jenson
Button, former F1 driver Jean Alesi and Charlie Whiting, the FIA's
safety delegate, race director and official starter. Numerous logistics
managers from F1 teams including Ferrari have also visited to make their
preparations for this flyaway race.

The President of the FIA Max Mosley and HRH the Duke of York were in
Bahrain for the BIC groundbreaking ceremony on October 8 2002. Bahrain's
5.410km track is the latest addition to the world's Grand Prix circuits
and is scheduled for completion on March 8 2004.